Project Goals

1. Provide $50 loan to 300 poor and HIV positive women and men subdivided in groups of five, and living in Danane and Korhogo by June 30, 2010 with the outcome that they will start a small business which will help them pay for their antiretroviral (ARV), nutritional supplements, buy school supplies for their children, food for their families, meet other household needs, and help restore hope and dignity.
2. Teach 300 poor and HIV positive women and men living in Danane and Korhogo with general, health, and financial literacy skills by June 30, 2010 with the result that they will better manage their loans, market their products and manage their businesses, save, budget , reduce their vulnerability to unplanned events and diseases.
3. Provide culturally-tailored HIV counseling and a social and economic support group to 300 poor and HIV positive women and men living in Danane and Korhogo by June 30, 2010 with the outcome that they will lean on each other and Empowering The Poor, Inc for support, strength, motivation, and advices in their daily lives with HIV.

Worksites

Danané and Korhogo, Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa. Bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, West of Ghana and East of Liberia, Cote d’Ivoire is located in the western region of Africa.

Area: 322,500 sq. km. (124,500 sq. mi.); slightly larger than New Mexico.
Population: 20, 677,000
Capital: Abidjan (economic capital; Yamoussoukro- political capital)
Climate: Tropical in the south; arid in the north
Religions: Indigenous 10%-20%, Muslim 35%-40%, and Christian (Catholic, Protestant, and other denominations) 25%-35%.
Languages: French (official) and more than 60 dialects.
Literacy rate: 51%.
Life expectancy: 46 years.

HIV/AIDS in Cote d’Ivoire

HIV prevalence (Adults 15-49): 7.1%
Estimated AIDS Deaths: 65,000
People living with HIV: 750, 000
AIDS orphans: 450,000
87% of women and 90% of men do not know their HIV status.
Source: UNAIDS Epidemiologic Fact Sheet 2006 Update.

Danané and Korhogo

Although located in different geographical regions of Côte d’Ivoire, Africa, Danané (western) and Korhogo (northern) are among the most AIDS-impacted cities in Côte d’Ivoire, caused by a host of factors. Among which are poverty, multiple sexual partners, the long period of political, economic, and social instability (2002 to present), and many others contribute to the high HIV rate.  As instability and social turmoil set in, sexual instability increases drastically.  Women, young girls, and children are the most vulnerable as they become easy prey for the rapists (warlords, rebels, soldiers, and international peacekeepers).  The survivors of wars face huge challenges, as they do not possess money, job, family, food, shelter, and protection. Prostitution becomes the way out for many women and young girls. 

Methodology

Empowering The Poor, Inc.  (ETP) uses the group-lending model and credit rotation system.  The group lending is a substitute for collateral and helps members repay not only their own share of the loan, but also of their defaulting peers, otherwise the entire group is denied any future loans.  Group lending helps increase repayment rate and foster social and economic welfare.

ETP’s HIV Hope & Dignity project targets 300 poor and HIV positive women and men, 15 years old and above, living in Danané and Korhogo.  Participants are thoroughly selected through a series of data collection and analysis to establish a poverty line tailored to each community. They are required to attend 90% of financial, health, and general literacy classes, and form themselves groups of five, called Empowering Five (EF) with a designated leader per loan cycle. Each Empowering Five belongs to an Empowering Credit Group (ECG) made up of six other EFs, managed by an ECG manager.

Project Management Plan

The day-to-day operations and fiscal management of the HIV Hope & Dignity project will be handled through ETP’s regional office in Korhogo, Cote d’Ivoire and under the supervision of the President and CEO.

The project coordinator will conduct the day-to-day operations and provide a monthly, quarterly, and annual report to the regional Director and the President and CEO.  A separate account will be created and audited internally on a quarterly basis.

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ETP, Healthcare Program Manager, Dr. Coulibaly joins the party!!!.jpg